HBO Renews ‘Game of Thrones’ for Fourth Season

Just two days after a record-breaking season three premiere, HBO announced Tuesday that it will pick up “Game of Thrones” for a fourth season.

With 4.4 million viewers, HBO’s ushered in its third season of “Game of Thrones.” The one-hour 9 p.m. broadcast was up 13% from the 3.9 million who watched the season two broadcast in April of last year. It was also up 4% over its previous ratings-high of 4.2 million for the season two finale last year.

Created by Dan Weiss and David Benioff, the show is based on the bestselling fantasy series by author George R.R. Martin. “Game of Thrones” tells the epic tale of nobility, betrayal and the struggle for power on the continent of Westeros where seasons can last years. “Game of Thrones” production is primarily based in Belfast, Ireland but also include location shoots in Iceland and Croatia.

The first two seasons took on Martin’s books individually but the current season is expected to follow the first half of the third book. Although no creative details have been announced, “Game of Thrones” is expected to draw from the second half of Martin’s third book, “A Storm of Swords,” from his “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. Following suit from season three, the fourth season will include 10 episodes.

The Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning series is currently the second most-watched show for HBO behind “True Blood.” Some critics have expressed concern over the pace of “Game of Thrones” as Martin has yet to complete the final two books of his seven series saga.

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